US President Donald Trump has granted a surprise pardon to Democratic congressman Henry Cuellar, citing claims that the Biden administration was targeting him for his criticism of US border policy.
Cuellar's indictment in 2024 on foreign influence and money laundering charges was met with skepticism by many, with some accusing Trump of using his pardon authority to reward his political opponents. The pair allegedly accepted bribes worth up to $600,000 from the government of Azerbaijan and a bank in Mexico in exchange for influence peddling in Congress and the executive branch.
Trump claimed that Cuellar had been speaking out "the TRUTH" about the Biden administration's management of the southern US border, and that his wife Imelda was also being unfairly targeted. However, critics have accused Trump of using his power to punish political opponents, rather than upholding justice.
Cuellar's children wrote a letter to Trump requesting the pardon, suggesting that their father's "independence and honesty" may have contributed to how the case began. They later thanked Trump for "taking the time to look at the facts" of their father's case.
The pardon has been met with widespread criticism, with many arguing that it undermines the rule of law and rewards political malfeasance. Cuellar, whose trial had been scheduled to start in April 2026, has maintained his innocence and vowed to continue working on behalf of his constituents despite the pardon.
Cuellar's indictment in 2024 on foreign influence and money laundering charges was met with skepticism by many, with some accusing Trump of using his pardon authority to reward his political opponents. The pair allegedly accepted bribes worth up to $600,000 from the government of Azerbaijan and a bank in Mexico in exchange for influence peddling in Congress and the executive branch.
Trump claimed that Cuellar had been speaking out "the TRUTH" about the Biden administration's management of the southern US border, and that his wife Imelda was also being unfairly targeted. However, critics have accused Trump of using his power to punish political opponents, rather than upholding justice.
Cuellar's children wrote a letter to Trump requesting the pardon, suggesting that their father's "independence and honesty" may have contributed to how the case began. They later thanked Trump for "taking the time to look at the facts" of their father's case.
The pardon has been met with widespread criticism, with many arguing that it undermines the rule of law and rewards political malfeasance. Cuellar, whose trial had been scheduled to start in April 2026, has maintained his innocence and vowed to continue working on behalf of his constituents despite the pardon.
in this whole pardon thing. I mean, come on, $600k? That's just crazy talk! 
It sounds like Trump is using his power to get back at people who dared to speak out against him, rather than letting the law take its course. And Cuellar's family writing a letter asking for a pardon because of their "independence and honesty"? Um, isn't that kind of what we're supposed to be striving for in our country? 
Not buying it.
Not cool, Donald.
But, at the same time, it's super suspicious how he's trying to spin this whole thing and make Cuellar out as some kinda victim... 
I mean, come on, $600k from Azerbaijan? That's like, crazy money! 
And what about all those witnesses who were going to testify against him? Didn't Trump just, you know, sweep them under the rug or something? 
I mean, his kids did seem pretty genuine with their whole "independence and honesty" thing... 
Maybe Trump was just trying to make amends for some past beef or something? 
Either way, I'm all over this one... or at least, I think I am... 
. And now Trump's trying to spin it as some kind of "truth-teller" thing? Gimme a break 
.
. I'm not saying Cuellar didn't do anything wrong, but this pardon just seems like it might be more about Trump using his power to get out from under some scrutiny himself 
. We need to keep an eye on this one 
.
thanks to Trump's pardon? It just doesn't add up.
Cuellar's kids are trying to spin this as their dad being a truth-teller, but come on, it's hard to swallow that story when you're accused of taking money under the table. And now his trial is being put on hold because Trump thinks he deserves a second chance? It just doesn't sit right with me... 
the fact that cuellar's kids got in touch with him first kinda raises some red flags tho, did they even do their own research or just parrot their dad's line? also, $600k from Azerbaijan and a mexican bank? sounds like a recipe for corruption to me 
if he's doing it for the truth lol 
and Imelda too?! 
. Some ppl are saying he's punishing opponents and all that, but I'm like no way José! 
Cuellar said he was being unfairly targeted and I trust Trump on this one 
. The fact that his kids are like "dad's a good guy" and got a pardon from him is so cool 
keep it up Trump! 
. I'm not buying the "father was unfairly targeted" excuse either, sounds like Trump just wanted to stick it to Biden and show who's boss 
. The pardon might be a clever move for Trump's legacy, but let's not forget, he's also been accused of using his power to silence opponents... talk about a real trailblazer 
. Cuellar might've had his flaws, but at least he wasn't some corrupt crony like Trump's buddies from Azerbaijan or Mexico